Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 Reset Guide: How to Master Reset, Reset Network Settings, Soft Reset your Tablet

It is important that you know how to reset your new Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 because no matter how powerful it is, there would always come a time wherein you’ll encounter problems while using it. Most of those problems can easily be fixed by a reset. Consider it as your fallback whenever problems get serious that they couldn’t be fixed by basic troubleshooting procedures.

In this post, I will walk you through on how to perform various reset procedures on your Galaxy Tab S4. I will start with the simple reset methods like soft reset and how to reset all settings without deleting your files and/or data. So, continue reading so that as early as now, you already know some very important troubleshooting procedures you might need in the future.

However, if you found this post while trying to find a solution to a certain problem, then visit our Galaxy Tab S4 Troubleshooting page for we have already addressed some of the most common issues with this tablet. There could already be articles existing on our website that will help you fix your problem. If not, then feel free to contact us anytime by filling up our Android issues questionnaire. Please be detailed as much as possible when describing the problem so that it would be easier for us to understand and find a solution to it.

How to perform the Soft Reset or Forced Restart on Galaxy Tab S4?

Every troubleshooting should start with this regardless how serious the problem is as long as there’s no obvious signs of physical and liquid damage. When your computer hangs or freezes, you can make it work again by unplugging it from the power source and plugging it back in. That’s basically the same process as this procedure; if the Galaxy Tab S4 had a removable battery, then you can pull it out to disconnect it from its power source but since it has a non-removable battery, the best thing you could do is perform the soft reset or forced reboot by doing the following:

  • Press and hold the Power and Volume down key for up to 45 seconds.

If performed correctly, your tablet may boot up normally but if it still doesn’t respond after the first try, then do the same procedure a few more times. If it’s still not responding after that, then you should try this instead:

  1. Press and hold the Volume down button first and don’t release it.
  2. Now, press and hold the Power key while holding down the Volume down button.
  3. Keeps both keys held down together for 45 seconds or more.

It’s basically the same as the first procedure only that at this time we’re making sure you’re doing it correctly by pressing the volume down button first before the power key because doing it otherwise won’t give you similar results.

You can use the Forced Reboot or Soft Reset when your tablet becomes unresponsive, won’t turn on or has the Black Screen of Death (BSoD).

How to Reset All Settings in your new Galaxy Tab S4?

This is the closest thing to the Factory Reset as it reverts back all the settings to default so it has the basic benefits of a reset but the good thing about it is that none of your personal files and data including apps will be deleted. So, everything will remain as is except for the Settings.

You can use this if your phone malfunctioned after changing some settings. There are times when we tweak some settings and we forget the default value. So when the device starts to malfunction, we won’t know what to do. Well, not anymore before you already know how to bring the settings back to default. This is how you do it:

  1. From the Home screen, swipe up on an empty spot to open the Apps tray.
  2. Tap Settings > General Management > Reset > Reset settings.
  3. Tap RESET SETTINGS.
  4. If you have set up a PIN, enter it.
  5. Tap RESET SETTINGS.
  6. The device will restart to perform the reset of settings.

How to Reset Network Settings on Galaxy Tab S4?

You only reset the network settings on your Galaxy Tab S4 when it encounters network-related issues and you don’t know the cause. Resetting network settings resets all data connections back to the out of the box factory defaults. The following changes will occur by performing this procedure:

  • Stored Wi-Fi networks will be deleted.
  • Paired Bluetooth devices will be deleted.
  • Background data sync settings will be turned on.
  • Data restrictive settings in applications that were manually turned on/off by the customer will be reset to the default setting.
  • Network selection mode will be set to automatic.

Only the mobile data connection is turned on after doing this procedure so if you were previously connected to a WiFi network, it’s normal that your tablet won’t be able to reconnect to said network without you initiating it and entering the correct passcode. Now, here’s how you reset the network settings…

  1. From the Home screen, swipe up on an empty spot to open the Apps tray.
  2. Tap Settings > General Management > Reset > Reset network settings style=”font-weight: 400;”>.
  3. Tap RESET SETTINGS.
  4. If you have set up a PIN, enter it.
  5. Tap RESET SETTINGS. Once complete, a confirmation window will appear.

How to Factory Reset your Galaxy Tab S4?

A Factory Reset is a the term we use for a reset that’s done through the Settings menu. You can use this kind of reset if your tablet has some issues but still functioning normally. For instance, if there are apps that keep on crashing or your tablet is running so slow for some reason, you can go into the Settings and reset your device from there.

However, bear in mind that all your personal files and data will be deleted so you have to create a backup of the files you don’t want to lose as you may not be able to retrieve them after the process. Once everything is set and ready, follow these steps to reset your device:

  1. From the Home screen, swipe up on an empty spot to open the Apps tray.
  2. Tap Settings > Cloud and accounts > Backup and restore.
  3. Tap the following sliders to desired setting:
    • Back up my data
    • Automatic restore
  4. Tap the Back key (bottom right) until you reach the main Settings menu.
  5. Tap General Management > Reset > Factory data reset.
  6. Scroll to the bottom of the screen, then tap RESET > DELETE ALL.
  7. If you have screen lock turned on, enter your credentials.
  8. If prompted to verify your Samsung account, enter the password, then tap CONFIRM.
  9. Wait for the device to reset.

How to perform the Master Reset on Galaxy Tab S4?

A Master Reset is basically the same as the Factory Reset only that it’s done differently. You can do this procedure every time you want to reset your device but what makes it a bit special is that you can use it if your phone is no longer working properly but can still power up. This doesn’t require you to boot your device into normal mode like the Factory Reset. All you need to do is run your tablet into the Recovery Mode and you can reset it from there. This will come handy if your device can no longer boot up normally but there’s a catch. You may be locked out of your device if you did this and you forgot your Google ID and password.

There is one layer of security Google implemented so that nobody can use a stolen or lost devices even after doing the Master Reset. If you know your Google ID and password, you’ll be using that set up your tablet.

Just like the previous reset procedure, you will lose some of your important files and data if you didn’t create a  backup…

  1. Turn off the device.
  2. Press and hold the Volume Up key and the Bixby key, then press and hold the Power key.
  3. When the green Android logo displays, release all keys (‘Installing system update’ will show for about 30 – 60 seconds before showing the Android system recovery menu options).
  4. Press the Volume down key several times to highlight ‘wipe data / factory reset’.
  5. Press Power button to select.
  6. Press the Volume down key until ‘Yes — delete all user data’ is highlighted.
  7. Press Power button to select and start the master reset.
  8. When the master reset is complete, ‘Reboot system now’ is highlighted.
  9. Press the Power key to restart the device.

I hope that we’ve been able to help you through this post. If we did, please share this post to your friends who might need this in the future. Thanks for reading!

TheDroidGuy Mailbag

🛠️If you have questions, check our Help section for details on how to submit your questions.💡


Posts You Might Like

Leave a Comment